EEOC asks for another rehearing in CRST lawsuit

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has asked for rehearing after a panel of appellate judges twice ruled to uphold almost all of a lower’s court decision dismissing the commission’s sexual harassment suit against CRST Van Expedited.

On May 8, the U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals decided 2-1 to uphold its February ruling against the EEOC. The case involved dozens of female truckers who alleged sexual harassment while undergoing the Iowa-based carrier’s training program.

The commission asked for a rehearing May 9. If granted, the entire 11-judge circuit would rehear the case. The truckload carrier has filed responses protesting the EEOC’s petition, but did not respond to a request for comment.

The circuit court said the agency did not conduct adequate investigation or make sufficient attempts to conciliate individual claims before filing suit. Some legal experts have described the court’s ruling as setting a stricter standard for the commission.